Dual Monitor Set Up

Hi;

My daughter is going to be starting her third year at Virginia Tech next week. She is pursuing Electrical Engineering. The school requires the laptop that she uses. It is a Fujitsu T901. The specs on the computer are pretty high. It is 2 years old and has the core i7 cpu.

It has a VGA out, and one HDMI out. It also has USB 2 ports and one USB3 Port.

What would be the most practical way to set up dual external monitors (I want the extended desktop display) for this laptop for use when she is studying in her apartment?

I need a solution that will work reliably without glitches.

I was considering buying a usb3 hub and two usb3 to video adapters, but that looks like it could get pricy. The tuition is already taking a big hit on me and I have to be frugal where I can.

I also see where usb2 video adapters are much cheaper. I am worried about lagtime though.

I also looked at getting a replicator. My Dell Replicator has two video outs, and I was hoping the fujitsu replicator would as well, but it only has one video out.

I am not looking to use the laptop display when she is at home. I am hoping to plug in one item and have it switch over to the dual monitor display.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

komobu, use VGA + HDMI.

 

Thanks for the help...So I should get the HDMI to VGA Cable like this: 6ft 1 8M HDMI Male to VGA HD 15 15P Male M M Adapter Cable for DVD HDTV SASA01 | eBay

and I should be all set?

 

Port replicator, DVI-D and Displayport. Two digital outputs are a must, since who would want to use small monitors these days

Look for one used (ebay and such) because they don't really wear in use and prices are fraction of a new one when businesses get rid of the old ones. Also get a secondary power supply, external mouse and keyboard and there's a pretty good workstation setup.

 

I wanted to get a Port Replicator for her, but it looks like the T901 has its own specific port replicator that only works on the T901. I saw a replicator for the T900 that was only 25.00. The one for the T901 is 160 and difficult to find.

As for the monitors, I have two Dell 19 inch monitors (SE198WFP) that I think will do the job. I am going to place them side by side on a dual monitor stand. Since she has been looking at only the laptop screen for the past two years, I think the 19 inch externals will be a big improvement. The main think I am looking for is her to be able to have two displays side by side so she can read projects on one screen, and enter results say in excel on another.

 

Not finding any (cheap) is always a good excuse not to get one, agreed

It might take year or two until warranties run out and then companies usually start to replace those computers, accessories will come to market then also.

 

komobu,
Your daughter's notebook has 1xVGA and 1xHDMI connectors.
Your monitors have VGA and DVI-D connectors each.
You connect first monitor VGA-VGA.
You connect second monitor HDMI-DVI, using cheapish HDMI-to-DVI-D adapter.
It is that simple, do not complicate it.

 

Thanks...Ill order the HDMI-to-DVI-D adapter